Pine Run couple hospitalized after attempted murder/suicide

A husband and wife are recovering in a local hospital as sheriff's detectives investigate what they are calling an attempted murder/attempted suicide.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

A husband and wife are recovering in a local hospital as sheriff's detectives investigate what they are calling an attempted murder/attempted suicide.Detectives said Jairo A. Herrera, 82, and his wife, Lydia, 72, were listed in stable condition at an undisclosed hospital.Authorities said although a crime had been committed, their primary goal is to work with the family to make sure both people are taken care of and safe as the investigation continues.Officials would not reveal any circumstances of the case, other than to say someone found Lydia Herrera lying on the floor of her home and called for help.The incident occurred Tuesday at the Herrera's home in the Pine Run subdivision off State Road 200.Sandriana Hulleman, a neighbor, did shed some light on the situation.Hulleman, 72, said two of Lydia Herrera's friends had called her and when they got no response, they drove to her home Tuesday afternoon and found all the doors and windows shut and the blinds closed. One of the friends heard Lydia Herrera saying she could not get up or come to the door.One of the two friends remained at the home and the other went for help.Hulleman said she and another neighbor walked to the home. She said the neighbor called 911 and as he was talking to a dispatcher, he was able to dismantle the door knob.One of Lydia Herrera's friends and Hulleman walked to the back bedroom, where they saw Herrera on her back on the floor on the right side of the bed. A pillow was under her head and she was covered from the waist down by a comforter.Jairo A. Herrera also was on the right side of the bed, on the floor on his left side with his head leaning against the wall.Both of them were clothed, Hulleman said.Hulleman said Lydia Herrera normally was fitted with an oxygen supply, with tubes in her nostrils. Hulleman said the oxygen was not in place, so Lydia Herrera's friend who accompanied her inside turned on the oxygen machine.Hulleman said paramedics arrived and made their way to the room. She said a paramedic asked Lydia Herrera how long she had been on the floor, but there was no response. The paramedic asked for a name and Hulleman said she gave them Herrera's name.The paramedic asked Lydia Herrera if she had fallen and she said something, but Hulleman said she could not hear what was uttered.The paramedic asked Herrera if she had taken anything and she answered yes, 20 Xanax. She told the paramedic she was trying to kill herself and that the pills were consumed at 8 p.m.Hulleman believes Herrera meant 8 p.m. Monday.Hulleman said paramedics found a number of various kinds of pills on the kitchen table and Xanax in the nightstand in the bedroom.Jairo A. Herrera, who was somewhat conscious, had not said a word during the conversation between the paramedic and his wife, according to Hulleman. She said paramedics lifted him up and placed him on the bed. She said he could not walk as he was "very wobbly."Hulleman said the Herreras are renters and have lived in the neighborhood for less than a year. She said Lydia Herrera has COPD and Jairo Herrera has Alzheimer's disease and doesn't speak much English. She said Lydia would always talk with people, but had been staying indoors lately.She said the couple recently had to put down their dog because they were unable to take care of the animal.Lydia Herrera requested that medical personnel take her to hospice, but they told her she needed to first go to a hospital, Hulleman said.Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.